Sunderland’s Johnson excited by Sessegnon’s return to form

Sunderland's Stephane Sessegnon.

ADAM Johnson might have won plaudits for his performances in Sunderland’s last two away games, but the England man says it is Stephane Sessegnon’s return to form that has got him excited.

Both Johnson and Sessegnon – Sunderland’s two biggest flair players – have struggled to shine in the first quarter of the season.

By their own admission, their performances in the opening games were way below par but that has changed in recent weeks with Johnson in particular attracting headlines after scoring his first goal in Sunderland colours at Everton and then having a hand in two of Sunderland’s three at Fulham.

But while the former Boro and Man City winger is glad that his own game has picked up, he is just as delighted to see that Sessegnon – who scored a screamer in the 3-1 win over Fulham – is also looking back to his best.

“I think Stephane is getting that cutting edge back now and I think that’s good news for all of us,” said the 25-year-old.

“I saw it in the Everton game, but I’ve seen it in training sessions regularly now where he is so sharp.

“He could have scored in the opening few minutes of the game at Everton and if he had done it would have probably have changed the game again.

“But it is starting to come with him.

“And you know that if he keeps the form that he’s starting to run into now then he’ll begin to regularly goals and change games.

“Personally I’m sure he’s going to hit some good form now.”

Though Johnson, Sessegnon and James McClean’s, the Black Cats’ three most creative footballers, have been the topic of endless debate among fans in the current campaign, Johnson says success this season depends on the team as a whole rather than just one or two players.

“The pressure is on everyone in the team to win games,” he pointed out.

“I know individuals get named but it’s a team game and we as a group of a players just need to win games.

“It’s inevitable individuals will be picked out and probably inevitable that one of the those names is Stephane’s at times because he is the sort of player who can win you a game with a moment of magic.

“But it isn’t just about any one of us, it is about all of us.

“And I think that one thing Sunderland have got is good team spirit and we need to make the most of that.”

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